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AN unemployed man already standing trial for an alleged rape offence was brought before the Sessions Court in Kota Bharu on Thursday to face a fresh charge of committing physical sexual assault against a teenage girl while both were sheltering at a temporary evacuation centre during the recent floods.
Nik Mohammad Ilfam Mohammad Noor, 22, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read before Judge Tengku Shahrizan Tuan Lah.
According to the charge sheet, he is accused of committing physical sexual assault on a 16-year-old girl at a temporary evacuation centre in Jelawat, Bachok, at around 11am on 26 November.
The prosecution is pursuing the case under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), which carries a maximum penalty of twenty years’ imprisonment and possible whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Hajar Mazlan appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented.
During the proceedings, Siti Hajar opposed bail, citing the gravity of the allegations.
“The accused is also charged with rape under Section 376 of the Penal Code in a case from last year. He is currently out on court bail and that rape case is still ongoing,” she said.
The court subsequently refused bail.
The matter has been fixed for mention and the appointment of counsel on 8 December. - December 4, 2025